United Airlines Announces New Checked Bag Policy for Domestic Flights

CHICAGO, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines today
announced two changes to its domestic checked bag policy. The service fee
to check one bag for domestic travel will be $15 each way and the fee to
check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special
handling will increase from $100 to $125 or from $200 to $250, depending on
the item.
These changes apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after June
13, 2008, for travel within the U.S. and to/from Canada, Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands on or after August 18, 2008. The $15 service fee
does not apply to customers who are flying in United First or United
Business or who have premier status with United or Star Alliance. Details
on United's checked bag policy are available at united.com/baggage.
"With record-breaking fuel prices, we must pursue new revenue
opportunities, while continuing to offer competitive fares, by tailoring
our products and services around what our customers value most and are
willing to pay for," says John Tague, executive vice president and chief
operating officer.
United estimates that the new $15 service fee will apply to one out of
three customers, and the potential revenue from baggage handling service
fees, including those for checking a first and second bag, will be
approximately $275 million a year.
The fee to check a second bag is $25 each way and applies to customers
who purchase Economy tickets for travel exclusively within the 50 United
States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, and who do not have
premier status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance.
For itineraries that include international flights (except Canada),
checking a first and second bag will continue to be free, and the cost to
check more than two bags or items that are overweight or require special
handling varies by destination.
Customers may pay these service fees at an airport Easy Check-In(SM)
kiosk with a credit card or at the check-in counter with a credit card,
check or cash. To ensure smooth operations at the airport, later this year,
United will have developed the ability for customers to pay for baggage
fees via united.com when they check-in online.
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,200* flights a day
on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United also is a
founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
customers to 965 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000
employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
company's Web site at united.com.
*Based on the flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008.